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Motivating a young person to read starts with a good example, and that is the parent. Research clearly shows the most important base for a successful student is a parent who conveys a positive attitude about school. Without this role model, the chances of a child becoming an avid reader diminish.
As for rewards, again, research repeatedly shows giving rewards to children does not work. Rather, rewards create a negative impact on future work as kids learn only to work when rewarded. The best students enjoy doing the work because of the satisfaction it gives them. They learn to overcome problems by themselves for the positive feelings it gives them.
So to motivate students to read, the greatest method is persistence if no physical or mental problems are present. You can make persistence easier by the selection of reading material, the way it is presented, and the method the student uses to show mastery of the material.
Start here with REC's Read Across America links
Motivational programs & ideas
America Reads
Find Title One information, government work-study tutors, early child literacy and more.
Book It Reading Program
Sponsored by Pizza Hut, readers get food and certificates for their efforts -- very worthwhile for elementary students.
e-books for Young Readers
Get online downloadable e-books for children -- an inexpensive way to get students who are poor readers to take part.
Educators: What You Can Do
Government link site to ways educators can motivate students to read.
Get your students’ work published
Imaginary Lands
How to use picture books
Language Arts resources
Literature Circles
Literature Websites
More phonics resources
Motivating Young Readers
Kathryn L. Stout, B.S.Ed., M.Ed., presents common-sense ideas such as reading to your child daily. This makes a good starting place for inexperienced parents and educators
Mystery Net
Using mysteries to learn how to investigate and problem solve.
Reading Is Fundamental
Explore a nice collection of links and articles from an organization heavily involved in getting students to read and enjoy a lifetime of it.
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Reading associations & authors
American Authors on the Web
International Reading Association
National Council of Teachers of English
REC Language Arts, Authors
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Research
Advances in Research on Instruction
No new breakthroughs, but some points you might want to check. Summary has it all.
Children's Literacy Development: Suggestions for Parent Involvement
General Principles of Motivation
Helping Remedial and Reluctant Readers
Types listed
Inspiring Young Readers
Literacy Movements
Motivating Low Performing Adolescent Readers
Students disengaged from their own learning processes are not likely to perform well in school.
Motivating Reluctant Adolescent Readers
Motivating Struggling Readers
Using the engagement model of instruction is one strong framework for teachers to motivate middle school readers.
Motivating Students
National Reading Panel
The NRP has completed the research assessment of reading instruction approaches. You can watch clips of the data, order free copies or order a video. You must visit, and don't forget to go the frequently-asked-questions section.
Stikky.com: Motivating Readers
Article on best ways to reach a goal
Taped Book Method
Use taped book chapters to get students motivated.
What do students want (and what really motivates them)?
When Students Do Not Feel Motivated for Literacy Learning: How a Responsive Classroom Culture Helps
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